1) Can we meet you?
My name is Oyinade Deborah Omotayo. I'm a child of God, a Law student at Olabisi Onabanjo University. I'm in my penultimate year. I hail from Ogun State, Odogbolu Local Government precisely. I'm the third child of a family of seven and the only girl-child.
2) Tell us more about your childhood?
A native of Ogun State, born in Ijebu-Ode, I began schooling at age 2 at Cathedral School of our Savior, Ijebu Ode. At age 4, my family relocated to Ode-Remo, Ogun State, where I completed my nursery/primary school education at Excel Children Nursery & Primary School. I attended Christ Apostolic Grammar School, Iperu Remo, Ogun State for my secondary school education between the years 2010 and 2016.
3) Please tell us about your life
dreams and visions?
I'm passionate about the female gender, especially those who are victims of sexual and physical abuse. I envisage having a non-governmental organization. The organization will provide legal aid and services to victims of abuse of whatever kind - rape, molestation, assault - at no cost. The organization will as well cater for the health and psychological wellbeing of the victims. They will afterwards be trained in both formal and informal education.
The goal of the organization will be to ensure that victims of rape are not left to their fate. Such victims will have their self-esteem and confidence restored and they will be nurtured and groomed to be all that God has created them to be regardless of what has happened to them.
This passion has driven me to join some organizations with similar goals. One of such is Pattern the World With Love. One of the foundation's goal is to 'catch them young and show them love' and it has organized several sexual purity campaigns and programmes.
It's also my desire to impact knowledge and skills into the younger generation; to raise leaders who will be forces to reckon with in whatever career path they choose for themselves. I desire to raise cultured and selfless leaders who will uphold the tenets of truth, discipline, justice and righteousness. So, I aspire to carve a niche for myself in the eduational sector.
4) What is your typical day like?
Spend time with God in the early hours of the morning, check through the social media platforms for updates and messages, do some household chores, have breakfast, attend virtual/physical classes(if there are any), read, study or form class notes. My evenings are mostly for fellowship activities and other meetings outside fellowship.
5) What else do you do aside law?
I'm an active worker at the Redeemed Christian Fellowship, OOUAgoIwoye Chapter.
I run a small-scale business; I produce and sell liquid wash (Honeycrown Liquid Soap).
I acquired tailoring skills shortly before I gained admission. So, during breaks, I practice and improve on the skill.
I also volunteer at some nongovernmental organizations. One of which is Lead Footprints Africa which has as its main goal the SDGs 5(Gender Equality) and 16(Peace and Justice).
6) How do you balance your academic life with other aspects?
One major factor that has been of help in striking a balance is getting my priorities right.
On my list, God comes first. I've by have and has it really been helpful?
I assimilate well during the day, so, I make the most use of my daytime and do the little I can at night as well. I take study-breaks when I'm studying for long hours. I do more of studying on my own but during examinations, I try as much as possible to study past questions with some groups of friends.
These methods have been helpful over time coupled with the mercy of God.
8) What area(s) of law catch your fancy
lntellectual poperty Law, Family Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution.
9) Are you channelling your current activities towards future engagement in those area(s)?
Last year, during the lockdown, I took some online courses and trainings on Alternative Dispute Resolution. Few months ago, I took up a virtual internship opportunity with a Law firm which was centered on those aspects of law.
Last session, I registered for Family Law as an elective course. This session, I registered Intellectual Property Law as an elective course alongside other compulsory courses.
10) If you had the power to pass a law on one pressing global issue, what would that be?
Uhn... That will be the Law on Same-Sex Marriages.
I believe that God is the institutor of marriage and His original intent is for marriage to be between a man and a woman. He didn't just create mankind in His own image, He created them male and female. Even animals were, after their kinds, created male and female.
God's desire also is for man to be fruitful and multiply and one of the purposes of marriage is procreation.
Legalizing same sex marriages clearly negates God's intent and purposes; it's against the natural order.
11) What advise would you give people that are almost giving up on academics for example as a result of bad results?
Permit me to share a true life story, perhaps, it will inspire you.
Winston Churchill repeated a grade during elementary school and, when he entered Harrow, was placed in the lowest division of the lowest class. Later, he twice failed the entrance exam to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. He was defeated in his first effort to serve in Parliament. He became Prime Minister at the age of 62. He later wrote, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up"
My advice - Hold on to God and His promises, don't give up. You will only reach the light at the end of the tunnel if you don't give up.
12) Any final words?
Regardless of your position in life, stay humble. In the words of my mentor, "Pride can destroy any man no matter how big. Humilty can exalt any man no matter how small".
Thank you for having me.
